Two new firefighters and two new police officers were sworn in prior to the regular meeting.

Public comments

Water transition: Poleda Moodie stated that her water bill had doubled due to the transition fee added to her Cleveland Water Department bill and questioned why this has occurred. She was referred to the city manager and the city utilities manager.

Repurposing of former church: Althea Cheatham and Joy Roller expressed concern about the repurposing of the former Grace Lutheran Church by Horizon Health Services. The work is disturbing its back-door neighbors’ quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their properties, specifically: air conditioning condenser noise, trash receptacles being moved closer to homes, rainwater runoff, fence provisions, and traffic disturbance from the use of the narrow alley between the rear of the building and East Derbyshire backyards as a cut-through between the building’s east and west parking lots. Ungar responded that the conditional use permit issued to the new owners while he was on the planning commission was conditional on the company not interfering with neighbors’ enjoyment, and urged that residents contact Richard Wong if there are any problems.

Bids for street work

The city accepted the bid of Ronyak Paving Inc. of $870,280.25 for the 2017 street resurfacing program, and the bid of Specialized Construction Inc. of $595,543.05, for the 2017 surface-treating program.

Securing power supply rate

Council unanimously approved a motion to make an emergency agreement with Dynegy Energy Services to secure a 36-month rate for power supply.

Liquor control notices

Q70 Grille, 2573 Noble Road, applied for a D5 permit from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control. Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg provided a letter, addressed to the department of liquor control, objecting to this permit. Council voted to support the objection due to numerous police calls to that location.

Wine Cave Inc. (La Cave), 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., applied for transfer of D5 and D6 permits from the previous owner. This was made a matter of record.

Zoning appeal

A zoning variance was granted to Larry and Christina DeAngelis, 2655 Derbyshire Road, to install a four-foot fence in the front yard where a three-foot fence is permitted. Ungar abstained because he was not present for the presentation.

Energy conservation project

Council passed an amended resolution to extend the term of a letter of intent with Evans Energy to conduct an energy conservation project for an additional 90 days past the March 17 expiration. Seren voted no. Ungar proposed the amendment, which was a provision to refer the extension to the law department for review. He was concerned that the city’s interests be protected.

Non-bank ATM regulations

Council presented on first reading an ordinance that would regulate the placement and installation of ATMs, and would require security measures at stores to deter criminals from committing smash-and-grab robberies. Smash-and-grab robberies and burglaries are increasingly victimizing convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as criminals drive stolen vehicles into storefronts to steal non-bank-owned automated ATMs. There were six such robberies in Cleveland Heights in 2016 and one already this year. The council thanked the police chief for bringing to [their attention] the need for this legislation.

The American Architecture Foundation’s City Managers’ Design Academy will be held in Dallas, May 5–7. City Manager Tanisha Briley is one of six Ohio officials whose attendance has been underwritten. Design Academy officials toured the city recently to view properties that may be in line for architectural improvements.

Public meetings

The planning commission scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, March 8. A public meeting about zoning code amendments and the master plan was scheduled for March 13.

State budget impact on local government

Mayor Stephens commented on the effects the proposed Ohio State budget’s funding cuts will have on local governments and the efforts of mayors and city managers from around the state to speak out against the cuts.

LWV Observer: Blanche Valancy.

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse, and Maryann Barnes. To receive email postings of full reports, send an email to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.